Shafiq Akbar, Chairman IMARAT Group, Honoured at UK Parliament

LONDON: British Pakistani entrepreneur Shafiq Akbar was honoured at the UK Parliament in recognition of his remarkable contributions to Pakistan’s economy — including the creation of thousands of jobs, transformation of the real estate sector, and empowerment of the overseas Pakistani community.

The special ceremony at Westminster was led by Lord Shaffaq Mohammed, Baron Mohammed of Tinsley, who presented Akbar with an achievement award for:

1. Creating thousands of jobs in Pakistan
2. Driving the digital transformation of Pakistan’s real estate industry
3. Leading large-scale developments, including Islamabad’s new downtown and four Marriott Hotels
4. Building a $1 billion company with the ambition to position Pakistan as a global PropTech leader

 

A Humble Journey with Global Impact

Shafiq Akbar’s recognition serves not only as a personal milestone but also as a celebration of the vital contributions made by the UK’s Pakistani diaspora. His journey — from Pakistan to the UK and back — is a testament to the power of global experience applied to local impact.

Lord Shaffaq praised Akbar’s leadership:
“Shafiq Akbar exemplifies what can be achieved when ambition is rooted in purpose. His contributions reflect the best of what the UK and Pakistan can accomplish together.”

Born and raised in Pakistan, Akbar pursued higher education in the UK, graduating from Queen Mary University and completing a MPhil degree at Cambridge University. He built a successful career in financial advisory and real estate investment before returning to Pakistan after 15 years abroad.

 

Building for the Future of Pakistan

Upon returning home, Akbar founded several ventures — including IMARAT Group, Graana.com, Agency21, and his AI-led PropTech startup PropMax.ai — with a mission to modernize Pakistan’s real estate sector through innovation, transparency, and sustainable development.

With over 1.6 million Pakistanis living in the UK, Akbar’s story resonates strongly across the diaspora — many of whom remain deeply committed to Pakistan’s future.

 

A Message to the Diaspora

In his acceptance speech, Shafiq Akbar reflected on the meaning behind the honour:
“This award represents more than individual recognition — it’s a tribute to the power of connection. Between the UK and Pakistan. Between diaspora identity and service to home. And between vision and real-world results.”

He urged fellow overseas Pakistanis to contribute their expertise back to the country:

“We all want to see meaningful progress in Pakistan — and overseas Pakistanis have the experience and global perspective to help lead that change. I believe Pakistan is destined to grow. With smart policy, tech-driven solutions, and its untapped potential, we can tackle major challenges and build sustainable industries. I invite the global Pakistani community to join this mission — we’re ready to support those committed to making a real difference.”

Chairman Youth Parliament of Pakistan, Mr. Abrar-ul-Haq, and Minister for Climate Change, Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, joined the ceremony virtually and commended Mr. Shafiq Akbar’s outstanding efforts in youth empowerment and diaspora leadership.